An Anniversary Special with some publishing tips:

Dear New Author,

The Midwest Writing Center, MWC, captured my attention sometime around 2008. It was about the time when I started writing for the Galva News. I had a great editor in Doug Boock, but I knew I had a lot to learn if my news items and features were going to get better. Julie Jenson McDonald was a columnist and feature writer for the Argus-Dispatch newspapers. She often wrote about MWC, then located on the third floor of the Bucktown Center in Davenport. The trip from Bishop Hill to Davenport for one day workshops was the best option for me at the time. Out of the usual three offerings, I could count on one or two that would meet my needs.

I was never an attentive English student in school, and I basically had to start from scratch. So, while I was catching up on what I should have known all along and learning the nuts and bolts of writing, a book about Bishop Hill percolated in the background.

When I thought it was time for me to seriously think about publishing my first book, I naturally looked to MWC Press, an imprint of the Midwest Writing Center. Along with the one-day workshops I’d been attending I splurged and enrolled in a three-month novel writing workshop. From there I gathered the courage to register for the David R. Collin’s Writers’ Conference, an annual event at the end of June. Courage was the correct word here because I began as the shy person in the back of the room afraid to raise my hand, get noticed, or be expected to speak. Breaking away from all that took time, but it did happen.

I presented my first novel, Clouds Over Bishop Hill, a cozy mystery, to a panel at the 2015 Collin’s conference and it was accepted as a MWC Press printing project. After content and line editing, it was published in Aug 2016. All that editing was very valuable for me. I still feel that it gave me the best possible book for that time.

My first foray into self-publishing came in 2017 with a slim volume of short stories. My original goal was to have a few handbound books suitable for Christmas gifts. I ran out of time and decided to use CreateSpace, since MWC Press used it. I did my own formatting and cover. I got something that was adequate.

My second journey into self-publishing came with Shadows Over Bishop Hill, the sequel to COBH. Again, pressed for time because I wanted to have it out for Bishop Hill’s 175th anniversary in 2021, I thought that since I had some experience with formatting, I’d be OK to tackle a bigger project. I was wrong. CreateSpace had turned into KDP, Kindle Direct Publishing, and was much more involved than I expected. My computer literate husband and KDP University helped me get the novel ready to publish, but it was a stressful time for me. That was just me. Others may have more computer skills than I. Just know that the pros do earn their money.

And speaking of pros, I paid professionals for cover designs or both novels. Getting blurbs for the back covers always takes time and it often comes down to politely asking an author you know well for help. Another bonus for attending workshops, conferences, and critique groups.

Marketing is a huge job for any author and doesn’t diminish no matter what kind of publishing one pursues. One of the advantages I got out of presenting to MWC Press at the 2016 DRC Writers’ Conference was their request for a marketing plan. It made me think of my possibilities. Unfortunately, all plans have been put on hold or drastically altered in the past two years of pandemic. I am still trying to cope with that.

My best advice to any new author would be to check out KDP and see if it’s a good fit. Do be aware that using Amazon ISBN numbers, while free, will limit your marketing options. Read the fine print. I created my own press and purchased my own ISBNs. KDP is my printer.

Self-publishing and hybrid publishing opportunities have grown immensely and there are options out there that I don’t know about. As frustrating as the last book was to complete, I would do it again. My advice would be to do the research and find the best opportunity for your needs.

I hope this has been helpful.

Mary D

MWC is a non-profit organization and a great asset for this area with resources for any writer, at any stage of their career. Find information at:

https://www.mwcqc.org/

 

Favorite Bookmarks #5

This is an older bookmark for MWC, the Midwest Writing Center, a vital resource for the Quad City area. I’ve saved it because of prominent directive to Read! Write! 

The flying books are a nice bonus.

Favorite Bookmark #4

 

I remember Misty Urban making her own bookmarks, at least I thought of them as bookmarks. She’d print out a short story, flash fiction really, or a poem on nice paper then glued each one onto card stock. I managed to save few of those before she flew ahead to several versions of a regular type of printed bookmark.

Then she moved on to stylish versions of Victorian calling cards: many, many cards, as if one precious thing was never enough. I supposed the teacher in her could not stay still.

All this effort was for A Lesson in Manners, a collection of short stories that was my first purchase. It won her the Serena McDonald Kennedy Award.  

Of all the promotional pieces from Misty that I’ve saved, I like this bookmark the best because it begins with an “elevator pitch” that’s simple and comes perfectly to the point:

    "A how-to manual for dealing with

 love, lies, loss, and loneliness."

It's valuable lesson unto itself.

Favorite Bookmarks #3

 

I created this bookmark to go along with my first Bishop Hill mystery. The design was based on a postcard created by C. Hope Clark.

I met Clark through the Midwest Writing Center. It was the first year she taught a workshop at MWC’s David R. Collins Writers’ Conference, held annually in late June.

I bought her book and fell in love with the thought of using bookmarks to maybe, somehow, tempt readers to give us struggling authors reviews on Amazon and Goodreads sites. I think it worked better for her than me. But then, she has been quite prolific with writing award-winning mysteries, teaching, hosting award-winning blogs; ever being an inspiration to all of us.

I’m in the process of redesigning my bookmark to promote a new book and adding important new information for both books. The plan is to have it in time for the 

Bishop Hill Book Fair on April 2 at the Creative Commons at 309 Bishop Hill St. from 11-4 pm.

Update and Preview

Should have this double-sided bookmark ready for the bookfair.

Photo shows: on the left, my most current Bishop Hill mystery; and, on the right, my first mystery with an updated, and polite, appeal for reviews:

    "It's a fact of life for authors: 

We need reviews. 

Please consider posting a 

review to Amazon & 

Goodreads after reading."

Favorite Bookmarks #2

 

What’s not to like about a Yoda bookmark? 

Nothing!

Originally, this was part of a panel of USPS postage stamps. I used the stamps and saved the decorative sidebar as a bookmark.

I and one of my Bishop Hill neighbors did our best to buy out all the Yoda stamps our tiny Bishop Hill post office had in stock. After going through my bookshelves, I came up with three more of my impromptu bookmarks in various conditions.

Can I say it? 

Yes, the force was with me.

Got a favorite bookmark? Please share.

Favorite Bookmarks #1

 

Years ago, I participated in a panel discussion in Muscatine, IA. It was sponsored by Writer’s on the Avenue. I shared the table with Rob Cline and a couple of his writing buddies. He made his book sound so appealing that I had to buy a copy. We were wrapping up the sale of Murder by the Slice when he offered me a special bookmark. He treated it as something special, like it came from his personal stash, and he was almost loath to part with it.

Why was it so special? Not only did it look like a slice of pepperoni pizza, it SMELLED like one. Seriously, the top pepperoni has a scratch-and-sniff coating that still works after all these years. But then, I have tried to treat it like the gem it is.

It became my all-time favorite bookmark even if it was lacking in a few basic details. Like any printed information about the book, the author, the publisher, the ISBN number, stuff like that. I can accept those deficiencies because I’ve never run across anything like it since. And how often are writers told to use all the senses in their work? Lots. This type of bookmark just might be the perfect reminder to add a little something for the olfactory receptors. Who knows, it might help keep readers engaged … and hungry for more. 

Worked for me.

 

Got a favorite bookmark? Please share.

Reviewing Your Reads

I was searching through some of my old blogposts and came across my photo of a slide Gary Metivier used in a presentation at the Children’s Literary Festival in 2016. I liked the concise way it framed the essence of plotting with five Cs:

“Create a Character readers care about, in a Conflict with stakes, making Choices, whose Consequences build to a Climax.” Cheryl B. Klein, author of The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults.

I thought of using this framework for a review when I was given a copy of Bee in Her Bonnet by Jannifer Powelson.  

First draft:

Bee in Her Bonnet is Powelson’s fifth book in the Nature Station Mystery series. The first chapter introduces the character of Kristen Matthews as the owner of the Nature Station, a natural resource education and event center. It’s a business that has grown over the first four books, as has Kristen’s reputation and talent for amateur sleuthing in her central Illinois hometown of Eklund.

There is nothing better for conflict than a murder discovered the day after a bridal shower was held at the Nature Station with a visit to its brand-new pollinator garden as one of the party activities. The stakes couldn’t be higher when the white-haired relative of the soon-to-be groom appears to have fallen victim to a severe reaction to a bee sting.

Kirsten’s choices are limited. She has questions to ask. Leads to track down. Because the nice old lady’s past harbored some not so nice secrets. But Kirsten has so much help streaming in from the many locals who have come to expect great things from her detective skills. The consequences of all that help and ego boosting praise just might compromise Kirsten’s ability to make the best decisions. Who’s telling the truth? Who’s holding out on her. What is she missing?  The answers to these questions can mean life or death as she nears the climax of the action. Readers will want to know if they solved the mystery or not. I certainly didn’t. Jannifer Powelson has created a fine addition to her Nature Station Mystery series.

Second draft:

     I was introduced to Jannifer Powelson’s Nature Station Mystery series when I was given a copy of Bee in Her Bonnet to review. This is Powelson’s fifth book in the series, so I was meeting her protagonist, Kristen Matthews, at a high point in her personal life; she is engaged and has a winter wedding in her future. Kristen’s business, the Nature Station, is doing well as a natural resource education and event center. In fact, as the action opens, it is summer, and she is hosting the bridal shower for Hope Johnson, co-worker and best friend. We are introduced to a lot of people: family, friends, citizens of small town Eklund; all have potential as either victim or villain. A visit to the Nature Station’s brand-new pollinator garden is turned into a bridal shower party activity.

     The next day, Kristen and Hope are first on the scene when the white-haired relative of Hope’s soon-to-be groom appears to have fallen victim to a severe reaction to a bee sting. The stakes are high for Kristen, time is in short supply for her to find the murderer and save her best friend’s wedding day.

     But Kristen’s reputation and talent for amateur sleuthing precedes her every move. She has questions to ask. Leads to track down. It seems the nice old lady’s past harbored some not so nice secrets. Kirsten has so much help and information streaming in from the many locals who have come to expect great things from her detective skills that it just might compromise her ability to make the best decisions. Nothing is easy. Who’s telling the truth? Who’s holding out on her, and why? What is she missing? The answers to these questions could mean life or death as the murderer prepares to strike again in an ending I did not see coming.

     Friendship, family ties, and the chemistry of small town Eklund are key themes for this book. As is the author’s respect for native plants and prairies. Jannifer Powelson has created a fine addition to her Nature Station Mystery series.

 

Book reviews and star ratings are important gifts for authors. I always try to write something about the books I read and then post to Amazon and Goodreads. The more popular titles of well-established authors don’t need as much help as local, regional authors of small presses or the self-published. For those, I make an extra effort.